Nissan's Sentra is solid with a little pizzazz

April 14, 2010

Nissan's Z sports car is most likely to make the cover of a car buff magazine, but it's the automaker's more ordinary offerings like the Altima, Versa and Sentra that pay the rent.

As a car made for tight family budgets - and whose aren't these days? - the Sentra seemed worth another look, even though it changed little for 2010.

Three model years into the current generation's product cycle, Nissan's compact continues to gain market share. And it's easy to see why if one spends some time with it. Its styling is as fresh as when it was unveiled for the '07 model year, its ride is comfortable, its interior is well thought out and, at least in the up-level SL I sampled, is trimmed richly for that of a budget car.

The Sentra's reputation for reliability is average, according to Consumer Reports.

So is its federal government safety rating - five out of a possible five stars for frontal protection, four out of five for side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates it "good."

The Sentra is solid transportation with some visual pizzazz - something Nissan does very well.

Complaints: just two. The "continuously variable" automatic transmission - as opposed to one with fixed gear ratios - tends to exacerbate engine noise, especially, of course, on hard acceleration. But that type of gearbox improves fuel economy and makes the most of available engine power. The EPA fuel economy estimates with the automatic are 26 miles per gallon city and 34 highway - both higher than the estimates of 24 and 31 for the stick-shift version. I averaged 31 mpg during my seven days with the automatic tester.

Second complaint: The aforesaid comfy ride comes at the expense of some handling prowess; there's more suspension floatiness at highway speeds than some of you might accept, and more body lean in hard cornering. Enthusiasts will want to consider the quicker and sportier SE-R and SE-R SPEC-V versions - if the family budget permits. The SE-R and SPEC V are about $20,000 and $21,000, respectively.

Or you might simply consider alternatives, like the Mazda3 and VW Golf, that generally are more fun to drive.

Sentras begin at $16,140 with freight, a six-speed stick shift and the 140-hp. four-cylinder engine that was in the tester. That engine is in all Sentras, except the SE-R and Spec V.

There were minor styling tweaks but no major changes in prices or equipment for 2010, except that stability control has been added to the SL model and navigation is now available, as is a rearview camera for backing. Leather seating is available once again.